Heading to London soon and planning on visiting the Harry Potter Studios? How fun!
This is one of my favourite attractions in London! I’ve been there more times that I can count (yes, I know, I have a lot of Harry Potter fans in my life and they all want to go! Funnily enough, I never say no!).
The first time you go to the studios is absolutely magical because you don’t quite know what to expect and nothing can prepare you enough for how wonderful it is. That having been said, I loved it every time I went because there are always new things and details I had not noticed the time before.
Since I visited in each season, I decided to put together this ultimate guide to help you dress appropriately for the Harry Potter Studios in London.
You will find below loads of tips and some recommendations for every season: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost for you!
Things To Know About The Harry Potter Studios
Here are a couple of things you need to know about the studios before you visit. Please note that I have a full guide with all my tips for the experience in general but the few things I’ll mention here are important since they will help you choose what to wear.
- There is a cloakroom. Right at the entrance (after the ticket scanning part), you’ll find a cloakroom on the right hand side. It’s free to use and you can leave your coat and bags if needed. This means that you don’t need to carry around your jacket if you don’t want to, so feel free to dress appropriately for the weather outside, you won’t have to carry it all inside.
- There is an outdoor area. Right after the restaurant (which is about half way through the visit), there is an outdoor area with the bus, house and another couple of things. You’ll probably spend between 20 and 30 minutes there so bear that in mind since it comes in handy to have a jacket for that part.
- The studios are fairly warm but layers are still important. There is heating in the studios but since the ceilings are very high, I never think it’s that warm inside in winter so I prefer keeping my coat in general but a lot of people don’t so it’s up to you.
- You should definitely wear some Harry Potter themed items. If there is one place in the world where you can rock these Hogwarts house clothes, it’s here! A lot of people wear themed clothes so you won’t feel out of place. While some visitors opt for the full gown, I usually just include different accessories because I find it prettier but you can definitely go as crazy as you’d like!
What to Wear at the Harry Potter Studios in Spring (March to May)
Spring in London is mild, with temperatures ranging from around 8°C to 15°C (46°F to 59°F). You should expect the weather to be a bit unpredictable, with a mix of sunny days, rain showers, and cool breezes.
As previously mentioned, most of the studios are indoor but you still need to go all the way there (which takes a couple of hours from Central London).
Here are some ideas of things to wear.
Clothing
- Light Jacket or Raincoat: A lightweight raincoat or trench coat is perfect for keeping warm and dry if it rains.
- Layered Tops: A t-shirt under a light sweater or cardigan is ideal for spring. Layering allows you to adjust to the Studio’s indoor climate and unpredictable outdoor weather.
- Jeans or Comfortable Pants: Opt for well-fitted jeans or trousers for a balance of comfort and style. You’ll be walking and standing quite a bit, so choose pants you can move comfortably in.
- Harry Potter-Themed Clothes (Optional): Embrace the magical atmosphere with a Hogwarts House shirt or any Harry Potter-themed clothing for fun, fan-inspired style. In Spring, I particularly recommend a T-shirt, hair clip or a light scarf.
Footwear
- Comfortable Sneakers or Ankle Boots: You’ll be doing a lot of walking, so choose comfy, supportive shoes. Sneakers or flat ankle boots are practical and stylish.
Accessories
- Scarf: A lightweight scarf adds warmth and style. A Hogwarts scarf in your House colors can make for great photos!
- Umbrella
What to Wear at the Harry Potter Studios in Summer (June to August)
Summer in London is mild to warmish, with temperatures ranging from around 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F).
Although the weather is milder, rain showers are still common, so be prepared for both sunny and rainy days.
Clothing
- T-shirt
- Light Sweater or Cardigan: Indoor areas of the Studio can feel cool with air conditioning, so bring a light sweater that you can easily slip on and off.
- Capris, Shorts, or Jeans: Lightweight pants or capris are great for staying cool, but you can also opt for comfortable shorts or a skirt if it’s a hot day. If it’s raining though (which means it can be quite cold even though that’s summer), you can opt for jeans.
- Dress: If it’s a nice sunny day, you can also opt for a summer dress with a jean jacket.
Footwear
- Lightweight Sneakers or Comfortable Sandals: Choose breathable shoes that you can comfortably walk in. Avoid flip-flops but opt for cute leather sandals instead. I personally prefer sneakers such as Converses or Vans for the studios in summer because you walk a lot and I prefer having my feet protected when I take the tube but that’s up to you.
Accessories
- Sunglasses
- Compact Umbrella
- Harry Potter accessories: In summer, I find the hair clips to be the best accessories because they don’t take any room and they look great in the photos. You can also opt for a themed t-shirt.
What to Wear at the Harry Potter Studios in Autumn (September to November)
Autumn in London is crisp and cool, with temperatures ranging from around 10°C to 18°C (50°F to 64°F). The weather can be quite changeable, with rain and occasional chilly winds, especially by November.
Clothing
- Medium-Weight Jacket: A lightweight, insulated jacket or trench coat is perfect for autumn. Consider a water-resistant option in case of rain.
- Long-Sleeve Tops and Sweaters: Layers are essential in autumn. A long-sleeve top under a cozy sweater provides warmth, while giving you flexibility indoors.
- Jeans or Warm Trousers: Comfortable, thicker pants like jeans or corduroy trousers work well for cooler weather.
Footwear
- Comfortable Ankle Boots or Waterproof Sneakers: Ankle boots add warmth and are perfect for autumn style. Choose waterproof options if possible to keep your feet dry on rainy days.
Accessories
- Scarf and Beanie: These are both practical to protect yourself from the wind and potential rain. I also find them to be the best Harry Potter accessories so don’t hesitate to show your Hogwarts House with those!
- Umbrella
Extra tips
The studios usually decorate for Halloween which means you can expect loads of pumpkins and candles!
For this reason, I recommend staying in theme and opt for autumnal colours such as orange, brown and beige. It will make your photos even better! Especially in the Great Hall with all the pumpkins flying.
What to Wear at the Harry Potter Studios in Winter (December to February)
This is my favourite season to visit the studios because that’s one of the best indoor attractions and they always have cool activities at Christmas time.
Winter in London is chilly, with temperatures ranging from around 2°C to 10°C (36°F to 50°F). Mornings and evenings are particularly cold, so dress warmly because the commute time is quite long so you will need layers.
Clothing
- Warm Winter Coat: A medium to heavy winter coat, ideally one that’s water-resistant or wool, is essential for keeping warm on cold days.
- Long-sleeve t-shirts
- Knit Sweaters or Hoodies: Layer a cozy knit sweater or hoodie under your coat for added warmth and comfort.
- Warm Jeans or Fleece-lined leggings
Footwear
- Leather Boots: These can either be ankle boots or knee high boots depending on your outfit. You can also opt for sneakers but make sure they are warm and somewhat waterproof.
Accessories
- Scarf, Hat, and Gloves: You will need all of these to get to the studios but they are also the best photo props ever. These are my favourite Harry Potter merch items because they are very pretty, look great on photos and are not too ‘in your face’. You can buy online beforehand or at one of the shops in the studios.
- Umbrella
You may also be interested in: